BLACK+DECKER Lopper Chain Saw, 4.5-Amp with Leather Work Glove (LP1000 & BD555L)

I learned that you should not open your mouth while sawing wood with the lopper. I had to spit out wood chips and saw dust and leaves a few times!I was pleasantly surprised that this is as easy to use as the reviews and videos say! I am 64 and not as agile or strong as I used to be. But this takes very little effort to use. Because it works like scissors, and because you must use 2 hands, the weight is distributed well and it is not at all awkward to manipulate. It's also not overly noisy.I was disappointed to find that oil does not come with it. However, upon reading a government article on chain saw oils, I found that canola oil is perfect and I had some in my kitchen cabinet! The squeeze bottle that comes with the lopper is too hard to squeeze, but I let the oil drip from it into the hole on the lopper and then pushed the squeeze bottle nozzle into the hole to help the oil go down wherever it goes.It is almost impossible to hurt yourself with the chain saw part of this contraption. You would have to intentionally stick a body part between the scissor-like guards to saw something off or cut yourself. That being said, I read the 12 page manual, and I think it is very important to read it. Follow the instructions! They give you sound advice. I read about many dangers of which I had been previously unaware. It is easy to end up having a problem using the lopper, so be proactive and prepare yourself with the proper knowledge so as to avoid the problems common to chain saw use.At one point, I held the lopper upside down to cut a limb and it got stuck. I pulled the lopper out from the partially cut limb and the chain came off. So I got to follow the instructions to re-seat the chain. It was very hard to get the 2 nuts started turning (turn counter clockwise to loosen) but I gave a good yank on the included wrench and they moved. It was actually fairly easy to replace the chain. I was pleased and surprised and rather proud of myself to accomplish it, and without mishap.After every cut you make, shake the jaws out while running the chain in order to let any wood chips or debris fall out. When all done cutting, unplug the lopper and close your eyes and blow out any remaining debris. If necessary, remove the 2 nuts and the plastic piece they hold in order to completely clear out debris.Lastly, if you get tired, STOP! This is not a tool to use when you are even a bit weary. You don't need to misjudge and bring down a limb on your head, trip over something, or saw the electric cord.Oh - last, last thing: My palms got very sore from holding the lopper handles and from the vibrations. Of course, I didn't notice this was happening until after I was all done. I may invest in a pair of those gloves that protect against vibration. Or, next time, maybe I just won't do so much at one time, LOL!

Compared to a chainsaw this is a pretty wimpy tool, but compared to hand loppers it is great. If you have projects that require you to have a powered log splitter then this is probably not a tool that will appeal to you - but if you are just trying to clean up small branches and brush then it is great - much better than a chainsaw because you don't have to worry about the tip hitting the ground or kicking back. This tool allows you to position your branch in the jaws before you turn it on, then it self-feeds and cuts it off for you. Great tool.I must mention that the oiler mechanism is worse than a joke. Not even the chief engineer of Black and Decker could ever make it work. They give you a little plastic bottle, like shampoo would come in at a hotel. On top of this is a little pop-out nozzle. You are supposed to forcefully push the nozzle into a hole in the side of the saw and squeeze it to inject oil. The problem is that the nozzle retracts and closes when you apply pressure to it. Even if it did work, it would be annoying to stop and monkey around with a little bottle in a little hole every few cuts. I just use an oil can and manually oil the chain every couple of minutes.

These worked great!. I took down a dense 15' tree in about 4 hours with an electric chainsaw. The result was a driveway full of limbs and branches. I used the Alligator Loppers in another 4 hours to reduce that whole pile into baggable chunks that went out with today's recycling. It could not have been easier. Worth every penny in time saved. They are easy to use. I watched a couple of videos on YouTube and went to town with them!

Report on 9/26/2017 - Purchased Jan 2012.For over 5 years, I've used this to cut branches. I purchased a spare chain, but haven't had to use it.I like it because it holds the branch steady while it's cutting. If you use a chain saw, unless someone else is holding the other end, the branch will be jumping back and forth.How big of a branch can it handle? Look at the attached photo. The tree in my front lawn died and I had to trim it up. The Alligator is wide enough to cut this stump! It only took about 5 minute to cut the branches down to 2 foot lengths for disposal.I noticed the price has been reduced to $67. Guys. Buy this. It's "dirt cheap". You'll have no regrets.

My wife loves these loppers because they do not scare her like a chain saw does. However they is not built to last. I use the plural because we are on our third pair and each lasts about a year. Also do not try to contact support as it is a daisy chain where you just go around and around. Then you get their offer to email them which takes you right back to the daisy chain and around you go again. I have called the phone number provided and they dropped me after waiting 33 minutes. I would give it a zero for longevity and black and decker zero for support. I will get my wife use to a normal electric chain saw over the next year so when this on fails I will go to a harbour freight saw as at least they back up their product.

Brilliant

I love the Alligator Loppers! Just the thing for an 84 year old who planted too many trees when she moved into her brand new house 58 years ago.This is what I posted on Facebook on Sept. 4th, the day they arrived - with the picture...................................Grandma's first chain saw!My brand new Alligator Loppers came this morning and I was able to quickly cut up the forked branch that fell out of the Norway maple a month ago. Now I have a nice little pile of kindling for my wood stove or chiminea.No more sawing away with my old Swedish bow saws or having to ask the neighbours to come help with their chain saws.So much fun and so easy .... now I can’t wait for more to fall out!

Was looking for a small electric chainsaw, but found this. Much better solution! Heavy duty construction. Powerful cutting action. Ergonomic and effective cutting solution for smaller branches up to 4" diameter. Very happy with this purchase. Great value and high quality construction.

This is my 3rd one...I have many trees and shrubs. The gator is awesome to use in those awkward positions you can find yourself in when cleaning up the yard. The safety of using it is what I like as well as the weight of it. I have cut the cord, hence the second one. I completely burned it out, I was cutting wood for fire a few years ago and still have wood to burn. I thought I could do with out the last couple years and nah, I need another one...I like the Gator!

This is less expensive than the worx type saw. For continuously cutting branches less than 3 inches, this does a fine job. Use a real chainsaw for stuff larger than 3". I'm using this with an electric chipper. All the limbs I chop up with the LP1000 is just what I want to chip. Smooth and easy operation. Remember to oil the chain!